I've been looking to go old school and simple with my mountain biking experience for awhile. Last fall I sold the 2006 Cannondale 26" I built up a few years ago with parts and pieces from my previous Cannondale ride. I parted with Blue Bomber with the hopes that I would either just ride my cross bike or else get a basic 29er in the spring of 2015.
Well, as I was in trying to get a very bent rim trued for a friend's bike I was borrowing for Iceman, I spotted a gem of a bike. A 2014 Specialized Crave SL. Single speed, aluminum frame, rigid all around. Old school. It was truly love at first sight. And the best part was that it was on sale for nearly $200 off regular price due to it being a 2014. I didn't have money to put down for months, I just figured it would always be there waiting for me - since it was made to be, right? Of course, as soon as I had money for it, I called and the size L was gone. The only "local" place that had one was out in Holland at Cross Country Cycle. And it was their last. The 2015 was not an option as it's paint scheme is terrible and of course, it would be fetching nothing less than MSRP.
So in January, I put money down on the L at Cross Country, they were kind enough to store it on layaway and I paid it off in March. What a beauty. What fun to ride!! First thing I did when riding was instinctively reach for the gears. Nothing. I chuckled to myself. Took my little buddy Nick for the first ride on a melty, cool, dreary and cloudy day. What fun. 13mph max. I think it's going to be a fun ride. Let's hope I can put a lot of miles on "Mike New Bike" in 2015.
Starting to plan the route for 2015 NightShift! Now I know who's coming with.
Here's some pics...
My little buddy happy to be outside again.
My two dirt riders. Love them both.